Meet Your Boston Conference Team The spark behind Light the Way? These incredible volunteers! Get to know the people shaping the Boston experience, and hear their answer to an insightful question about what makes them shine. Q. Boston has a long history of lights that guide people, and in hospitality, we do the same. What’s one small habit you lean on that helps your team stay on track and elevates the guest experience?
I like to treat our colleagues as our own “internal customers.” It shows up in simple ways, like clearing a teammate’s plate at a group lunch, topping off someone’s water, or bringing a little “surprise and delight” into their day. It also shows up in how we communicate and respond to requests. We train our teams to “find the YES” for our guests, and I try to carry that same mindset into how I support my teammates. Instead of stopping at “I’m not sure,” I help find the answer or connect someone with the right person. I’ve found that these small, thoughtful moments of support keep hospitality at the center of how we work and remind us why we do what we do. It feels good to take care of others, and a happy team always carries through to the guest experience!
Activities Co-Director Morgan Kamensky Vice President of People Experience | Luke's Lobster
Activities Co-Director Kate Stiteler Director of Learning and Engagement | Sonesta Hotels
We promote internal recognition as a tool to help our teams stay on track and keep them motivated to provide great guest experiences; it’s called the CARE card program. In this program, managers and peers can write out specific feedback and share with each other. This allows team members to celebrate when they do something great - either for each other or for the guests who stay in our hotels. It’s a good reminder that hard work and good service don’t go unnoticed and to keep it up!
Member News
Andre Campbell , M.S.Ed., CHE, CLC, has been promoted to Senior Manager, Learning Programs & Innovation at Sandals Corporate University. Jackson Ernest is now Senior Manager, Event Strategy and Operations at the City of Detroit.
Kristy Gamble is now Learning & Development Manager at Blaze Pizza. Jessica Lecoq is now Training Development Associate Manager at Buffalo Wild Wings – Inspire Brands. Kim Aldrete is now Sr. Manager of Training at Dave's Hot Chicken.
Michelle Almada is now CX Training Specialist at Yaamava' Resort & Casino.
Anna Mason is now Director of Learning & Development at Edley’s Bar-B-Que.
Tiffany Perez is now Director of Training & Growth at Gyro Republic.
Dylan Bitticks is now Vice President - Ops Support & Training at Dave's Hot Chicken.
Julian Tolossa is now Franchise Training Manager at Dave's Hot Chicken.
Myisha Smith is now Director of Corporate Training at Parable Hospitality (formerly Pacifica Hotels).
Stephanie Bergeman is now Recruiting & Training Manager at Benchmark Hospitality at DU.
CHART Speakers at the National Restaurant Show 2026
Training Without a Training Department: Practical Strategies for Restaurants Sunday, May 17 @ 3:00 PM
Empowering New Hires to Thrive from Day One Sunday, May 17 @ 4:00 PM James Frank , Field Training Manager, Dine Brands Global (Applebee’s) Making Hospitality Hospitable (Again) Monday, May 18 @ 3:30 PM Audrey Benet , Associate Professor, Valencia College School of Hospitality & Culinary Management
Kim Evans Director of Training, Hopdoddy Burger Bar
Patrick Yearout Director of Innovation, Recruiting, & Training, Ivar's & Kidd Valley Restaurants
Corban Nichols Vice President of Restaurant Excellence, Piada Italian Street Food
Anna Mason Director of Learning & Development, Edley’s Bar-B-Que
Will you be attending the event? Email Tara at tara@chart.org so you can be kept in the loop about CHART’s activities there. CHART + IFBTA Reception will be held on Sunday, May 17 @ 6:30 PM at Centennial Craft Beer & Eatery. Email Tara for the invite.
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